How to make to-die-for classic party jollof rice!

Jollof rice is a spicy West African dish that traces its roots back to the Jolof empire, which is situated in the Senegambian region in West Africa. Traditionally, the dish comprised of rice, vegetables like tomatoes, onions, garlic, red pepper, and ginger. Apart from its yumminess, the other thing that stands out about this meal is its colour. If you wish to learn how to prepare it, you might want to stick around.

Image: instagram.com, @seemagetsbakedSource: UGC

For the longest time, the debate on whether Nigerians or Ghanaians make the best Jollof rice has been on. Chefs from the two countries have come out to show their prowess in preparing the dish, although a common ground has not been reached on whose recipe is the best. To find out more details about this interesting debate, you might want to consider trying out the two recipes. That way, you will easily pick your poison.

What does Jollof mean?

Jollof is a spicy one-pot rice dish that is popular in the West African region. It drew its name from the Wolof people who are an ethnic group found in the northern part of Senegal, Southwestern coastal stretch of Mauritania, and Gambia.

What rice is used for Jollof?

The type of rice depends on the recipe that is being used. If you are going to use the Nigerian Jollof rice recipe, you will be required to use parboiled long-grain rice. If you are using the Ghanaian Jollof rice recipe, you will attain the best results if you use Jasmine or Thai rice.

What's the difference between Nigerian and Ghanaian Jollof rice?

The main difference between the two is the type of rice that is used in preparing the dish. The method of preparation is also different since the Ghanaian recipe involves chicken being made alongside the rice. On the other hand, Nigerian Jollof involves making spicy rice without meat or chicken.

Which country has the best Jollof rice?

This is a question that has caused endless debates. The subject has even culminated in competitions, especially in the Sierra Leone beat Ghana in the competition in the USA.

Ghana jollof rice

Image: instagram.com, @villagesquare.afSource: UGC

Ghanaian Jollof rice is slightly different from the Nigerian one. This recipe elaborates why that is so.

Ingredients

500 grams of rice

500 grams of chicken

200 ml of cooking oil

2 medium-sized onions

6 large tomatoes

3 tablespoons of tomato puree

2 cloves of garlic

1 small ginger root

4 chillies

2 stock cubes

Green pepper, peas, carrots (optional)

Salt to taste

Water

Preparation

These are the steps that you would be required to follow:

Preparing the chicken

Add the chicken to a pot and sprinkle some salt.

Blend half an onion, a small piece of ginger, a clove of garlic, and pepper. Then, add the mixture to the chicken.

Add the 2 stock cubes and stir to ensure that the chicken marries with the flavour from the mixture.

Add water to the chicken to ensure that the chicken is halfway submerged.

Steam the chicken on moderate heat for 10 minutes.

Pick out the chicken from the chicken stock and deep fry it until it changes its colour to a golden brown.

If you have been eyeing Jollof rice have been wondering about how to make it, these recipes are straightforward and simple to try. By trying them out, you will be the judge on which one among the two is best.